I know I’ve been on a bit of a health kick. I’ll change gears after this post to give ya’ll a break.😊 This week, I wanted to talk about the importance of physical activity and the reasons why God wants us to move our bodies.
Does God Care About Our Bodies?
I think he does! He created us to move and to do so vigorously. He wired our brains to need it. It makes us happier, healthier physically, and better able to serve Him. Paul says, “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)”
In Timothy 4:7-9, Paul wrote, “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come…” This indicates that, although it shouldn’t be our first priority, bodily training is important.
Here are a few more Biblical reasons why it’s important:
- It helps us to be ready for usefulness by God. – What if an opportunity to serve Him arose where you needed physical stamina or strength? You want to be ready!
- It helps us to love others well. – Your body is the instrument you use to love and serve others so you should keep it in good condition.
- We need to be good stewards of what God has gifted us. – God has given you your body to use and enjoy during your life on earth. We should be good stewards of this amazing gift.
Now that we have maintained that it’s important and God cares, here are some tips to help you to move your body more:
- Start small and set realistic goals. – If your goals are too lofty, you aren’t likely to meet them. For example, if you set a goal to run a marathon in sixty days and you haven’t been running, you aren’t likely to achieve it. For behaviors to change, you need to set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound) Instead, you might set a goal to walk thirty minutes a day at least three days a week for the next four weeks. Once you achieve that consistently, perhaps you move on to something else. Focusing on changing habits can be much more effective than setting big goals. And give yourself a break! If you mess up, all is not lost. Show yourself a little compassion and get back in there.
- Stand up at least every hour and move. – Most of us live rather sedentary lifestyles – and, as I said earlier, we were created to move our bodies! The CDC says that one in four American adults sits more than eight hours a day. Sitting has been called “the new smoking” and can result in wide-ranging health problems. I used to think that, since I was exercising, that took care of my need to move. As Dwight from The Office would say, FALSE! Even if you are exercising regularly, it is extremely important to move throughout the day. Make a conscious effort to stand up and move around at least once an hour. Do some stretching, take a short walk, and maybe throw in a few push-ups or sit-ups.
- Do something you enjoy – There are two common reasons why people don’t exercise regularly – no fun and no time. Interestingly enough, we often make time for activities that we find fun. So, find something you enjoy and do that! If you hate to run, then don’t try to start a running program. If you like to dance, look for opportunities to do that. The best exercise is the one you will do.
- Exercise with a friend – Most things are better if you do them with a friend, including exercise. You are also more likely to be compliant if you have someone else to answer to. Look for someone with similar goals and interests and who has a comparable fitness level and schedule. Then, cheer each other on and hold one another accountable.
